Practice device for golf



June 21, 1932. c. w. R055 1,364,030

PRACTICE DEVICE FOR GOLF Filed Aug. 6, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 21,1932. c. w. R055 PRACTICE DEVICE FOR GOLF Filed Aug. 6. 1930 2Sheets-Sheet 2 *ivvevzo'r 0 m W. @074 3 wa a.

Patented June 21, 1932 1 UNITED STATES CHESTER W. ROSS, OF MEDFORD,MASSACHUSETTS PRACTICE DEVICE non. GOLF A ppliction filed August 6,1930. Serial No. 473,377.

This invention relates to a practice device for golf.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a simple andcompact practice device which may be used for acquiring proficiency inthe various strokes used in playing the game of golf.

Another object is the provision of a device which does not require anextensive space for use and which maybe used either indoors or out ofdoors.

A further object is to provide a device which maybe used by two personsor more in a competitive manner as a game.

Otherobjects of the invention will be more specifically set forth anddescribed hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of theinvention, Figure 1 is a plan view ofa device constructed in accordangewith my invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same; Figure 3 isa horizontal sectional view on line 3 -3 in Figure 5; Figure 4 is asimilar view on line Figure 5; Figure 5 is a central, vertical-sectionalview on line 55 in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a plan view of the deflectorshown in side elevation in Figure 2, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectionalview on line 7 7 in Figure 1. V

Referring to the drawings, 8 designates a casing of any suitable formand material, but preferably circular in plan and of light wood ormetal,- fastened by screws 9 to a base 10 and having a central innerpassage 12 opening at the front and extending toward the rear, and twoside inner passages 14 and 16 extending from the rear and opening outone oneach side of said central passage. The central passage 12 isformed by two side walls 18 and 20 and an inclined floor 22 supported atits rear end by a cross-pieceor wall 24 set upright at a distance fromthe rear portion of the casing on the base 10 thereof.

Interposed between the wall 24 and the rear portion ofthe casing is ablock 26 having a central apex 28 which is parallel with thelongitudinal axis of the central passage 12, the topside of the block 26on each side of the apex being inclined downwardly therefrom and loadingto one of the side passages 14 or 16 so that a golf ball travellingthrough the central'passage will drop off the end thereof on one side orthe other of the apex and be deflected into one of the side passages andcome out at the front of the casing. Secured tothe inner face of therear portion of the casing by screws 30 is a block 32 having acurvedface 34 adapted to deflect upwardly a golf ball travelling through theto central passage with some force. Thesides of the space between thewall 24 and block 32 may be closed on each side by partition 36 lying inthe same plane as its respective side wall 18 or 20 and by partition 88surrou'ndthe opening of its respective passage 14 or 16 so that a balldeflected by the apex of the block 26 will be directed into the mouthofits respective side passage. The spaces between the side walls 18 and20 and the casing are covered by panels 45 inclined slightly down wardlytoward the center passage so that golf balls landing on said panels willroll into the center passage and out of the front opening.

The passages 14 and 16 are preferably in the form of curved tubes 40 and42, each fastened at one end to the block 32 and at the other end to ablock 44 fastened to the casing At their outer ends the two tubes 40 andv 42 are arranged respectively at openings '46 and 48 in the casing, oneon each sideof the central passage so that a ball travelling througheither of the tubes emerges from the casing adjacent to the frontopening of passage 12.

The top of the casing is provided with a cover 50 fastened to the casingby screws 52 and inclined downwardly from the rear'portion of the casingto the front, said cover bep ing provided with a plurality of circularopenings 54. In the drawings the cover is shown as provided with nineopenings which may be numbered from 1 to 9 inclusive, re spectively, torepresent the nine holes of a golf course, but the cover may beprovided, if desired, with a different number of holes. The holes 54have bevelled edges for seating circular disks or plugs 55'therein forclosing all of the holes or any number of them when desired. Thetopfaces of the disks 55 are other resilient material. Preferably the cover50, disks 55 and the floor 22 of the central passage are covered withsuitable ,felt cloth 57 similar to billiard cloth or the like.

The floor 22 of the Central passage may be extended a short distancethrough the front opening in the casing in order to engage the ground sothat a ball travelling along the ground will enter the central passagewithout meeting any obstruction.

In addition I have provided an inclined runway 60 which may be connectedto the casing by a plate 62 cutout on a circular line to fit thecircular front portion of the casing and to partially enclose the sameon the sides. The plate 62 is provided on its under face with adefending flange 64 adapted to fit around the front upper edge of thecasing to hold the plate in position, and the casing on each side isprovided with a spring clip 66 fastened thereto by screws 68 to receivedepending lugs 70 on the two sides of the plage 62. The runway is hingedto the plate 62 by suitable hinges 72 and a set screw 74 is providedattaching it thereto. The plate and runway are made of any suitablematerial and are preferably covered with felt or other suitable fabric76. In Figure 7 is shown a cross-section of one form of runway in whichthe side edges 77 are turned upwardly and around to form guiding edgesfor a ball travelling along the runway and to keep it thereon.

In order to prevent golf balls from wedging under the runway as theyemerge from the front or the side openings of the casing, I provide adeflecting device shown in Figures 2 and 6 consisting of a right-angledeflector 80 adapted to set up-right on the ground and provided with apair of upright wires 82 having their ends bent to engage holes inbrackets 84 secured to the under face of the runway. Golf balls passingout at the front of the casing and rolling downwardly will strike thedeflector and be turned to one side or the other where they may bepicked up by the player, thereby preventing balls wedging under therunway and requiring it to be lifted. v

The runway is shown as made in two sections capable of being telescopedto a limited extend for varying its length, the flanges 77 onone partenclosing the edges of the other part.

My device is capable of various uses for acquiring proficiency in thenumerous strokes used in the game of golf. For instance, in putting thedevice may be used either with or without the runway. The centralpassage 12and front opening are approximately the same width as thestandard cup in a golfgreen and when the casing alone is used the playerstands at various distances and endeavors to putt the ball into thefront opening. If the proper force and direction are employed the ballwill enter the central passage drop over the inner end thereof and beingdeflected into a side passage will roll out of the front of the casingon one side or the other of the central opening. If the right directionis attained but too much force is used the ball will be deflectedupwardly and will generally emerge through one of the three rear holesin the cover of the casing. IVhen the runway is used for puttingstrokes, the player may practice direction by aiming for a certain holein the cover. Such use of my device, however, either indoors oroutof-doors will undoubtedly increase the proficiency of the player inputting strokes and enable him to improve his direction and his abilityto gage and control the force of his strokes. I

The device without the runway may also be used for acquiring proficiencyin getting out of traps by placing the ball on sand at a distance fromthe casing, with the object of raising the ball from the sand by the useof the proper club in order to land it in one of the holes in the topcover of the casing. When the casing is used out-of-doors it may beplaced at various distances from the player and proficiency acquired ingetting out of traps and bunkers by its use.

By setting up back of the casing a canvas screen 90 (Figure 1) which maybe supported by suitable standards or uprights, my

device may be used for driving,,in which case if the ball is driven inapproximately the cen ter of the canvas screen it will bound back andmay enter one of the holes in the top of the casing, and by using thenumbers on the holes, a competitive feature may be introduced between aplurality of players using the device. The device may be used generallyby players in competition which adds an incentive and a spur to thepractice.

My device will be found especially valuable in teaching playersdirection and force in all of the various strokes employed in the gameof golf, and it is capable of use either indoors or out-of-doors. It maybe used in a number of different ways and thereby maintain the interestof the person or persons using it, which interest is further accentuatedby the fact'that it is possible to indulge in competition and to scorethe results attained by each player.

It is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to theprecise constructibn herein shown and described since it may be embodiedin various other constructions all; within the purview of the followingclaims. T

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the character described, a casing having a frontopening, an inclined runway extending from said opening towards the rearwall of said casing, a deflector interposed between the rear end of saidrunway and said rear wall for deflecting balls to one side or the otherand a passage on each side, each passage extending from one side of saiddeflector and opening out in the front of said casing on one side ofsaid runway.

2. In a device of the character described, a cylindrical casing having afront opening, an inclined runway extending from said opening towardsthe rear wall of said casing, a deflector interposed between the rearend of said runway and said rear wall and below said rear end fordeflecting balls to one side or the other and a passage on each side ofsaid deflector opening out on one side of said casing.

3. In a device of the character described, a casing having a frontopening approximately equal in width to the diameter of a golf greencup, an inclined runway extending from said opening towards the rearwall of said casing, a deflector mounted on the rear wall of said runwayfor deflecting balls upwardly and a top plate on said casing hav ing aplurality of openings permitting the passage of balls therethrough.

4. In a device of the character described, a casing having a frontopening approximately equal in width to the diameter of a golf greencup, an enclosed inclined runway of the same diameter as said openingextending from said opening towards the rear wall of said casing and apassageway extending from the rear end of said runway and opening outsaid casing adjacent said front opening.

5. In a device of the character described, a casing provided withinterior passages opening out the front thereof and having an inclinedtop plate provided with a plurality of circular openings, said openingshaving beveled edges and a plurality of circular disks or plugs havingbeveled perimeters for seating in said holes to close the same, aninclined runway adapted to be detachably connected to the front of saidtop plate and having its outer end adapted to rest upon the floor orground and a deflector underneath said runway for deflecting golf ballsrolling out of said casing to one side or the other of the runway.

6. In a device of the character described, a casing having an inclinedtop plate provided with a plurality of circular openings, a passage insaid casing under said top plate opening out in the front of saidcasing, an inclined runway detachably connected to the front of said topplate and having its outer end adapted to rest on the ground, and adeflector underneath said runway for deflectof said casing and adeflector underneath said runway for deflecting golf balls rolling outof said casing to oneside or the other of said runway.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a casinghaving a top plate provided with a plurality of circular openings, aninclined runway connected to said top plate, said runway being made intwo sections telescopically connected forvarying the length of saidrunway and a plurality of passages in said casing for delivering golfballs passing through the openings in said top plate out of said casingadjacent said runway.

9. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a casing having a top plate provided with a pluralityof circular openings and having interior passages whereby golf ballsdropping through said openings are delivered out the front of saidcasing and a screen of canvas on other suitable material supported invertical position back of said casing into which golf balls may bedriven in order to be deflected from said screen into the holes in saidcasing.

10. In a device of the character described, a casing having an inclinedtop plate provided with a plurality of circular openings, a straightpassage in said casing under said top plate having a downwardly andoutwardly curved bottom opening out in the front of said casing and aninclined runway detachably connected to the front of said top plateabove said passage opening and having its outer end adapted to rest onthe ground.

11. In a device of the character described, a casing having an inclinedtop plate provided with a plurality of circular openings, an inclinedrunway detachably connected to said top plate and having its outer endadapted to-rest on the ground and a plurality of passages within saidcasing and extending from a point within said casing forwardly and toopposite sides of said runway for delivering golf balls dropping throughsaid openings in said top plate out at the front of said casing adjacentsaid runway.

In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day ofJuly, 1930.

CHESTER W. ROSS.

